Apparatus and method for measuring rod-shaped articles, apparatus and method for manufacturing rod-shaped articles, and control unit

Abstract

Provided is a measuring device (6) for measuring an outer circumference length (L) of a rod-shaped article (2) in a conveyance section (4) for the rod-shaped article (2), the measuring device (6) comprising a camera (20) that captures an image of an end surface (2c) of the rod-shaped article (2) and an image processing unit (26) that calculates the outer circumference length (L) by processing the image captured by the camera (20). The image processing unit (26) identifies an outer circumferential edge (30) of the end surface (2c) in the captured image, creates a virtual circle (36) on the basis of the outer circumferential edge (30), creates n straight lines (38) passing through a center point (Pc) of the virtual circle (36), identifies two intersections (40) where each straight line (40) and the outer circumferential edge (30) intersect, measures an intersection-to-intersection distance (d1, d2, d3, ... dn) between the two intersections (40) on each straight line (40), calculates a virtual diameter (d) of the outer circumferential edge (30) by dividing the sum of the intersection-to-intersection distances (d1, d2, d3, ... dn) by n, and calculates the outer circumference length (L) by multiplying the virtual diameter (d) by π.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device and a measuring method for a rod-shaped object. ,B Apparatus and method for manufacturing rod-shaped articles , and a control unit More specifically, the present invention relates to a rod-shaped object measuring device and a measuring method capable of measuring the circumferential length of a rod-shaped object in real time during transport. ,B Apparatus and method for manufacturing rod-shaped articles , and rod-shaped article measuring method and control unit capable of measuring the circumferential length of a rod-shaped article Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Rod-shaped products such as cigarettes need to be continuously monitored to ensure quality, and samples are randomly sampled during transportation and tested for various physical properties to ensure they meet predetermined quality standards. In Patent Document 1, changes in the properties of the products during production are monitored substantially in real time, and the physical properties include the average circumference of the products, which is obtained by measuring the diameter of the products (see paragraph 0169 of the publication).

[0003] However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose how the perimeter of a rod-shaped article being conveyed is calculated and measured in real time. Therefore, a specific measurement method is considered, in which a laser beam is irradiated perpendicular to the axial direction of the continuous article while it is being conveyed along its longitudinal direction. In this case, the width of the laser beam intercepted is detected as the diameter of the article, and the perimeter is calculated from this diameter. In this case, the laser emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the laser device repeatedly rotate clockwise and counterclockwise 360° around the axis of the article. For example, during one round trip in approximately 2.4 seconds, the diameter of the article is measured at 480 locations, and the average perimeter of the article is calculated from the average diameter of the article.

[0004] On the other hand, another specific measurement method is to install a chamber having a through-hole with an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the articles in a conveyance path along which continuous articles are conveyed in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the circumferential length of the articles is calculated based on the airflow resistance and pressure loss caused by the gap between the articles and the through-hole of the chamber when the articles pass through the through-hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2006-522928 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When installing the aforementioned laser device and chamber on an existing conveyance route, extensive modifications to the existing equipment are required to secure installation space, which is costly. Furthermore, if an object has an uneven surface, using a laser device will prevent the uneven surface from being projected onto the light-receiving unit. Furthermore, using a chamber will cause fluctuations in the airflow resistance and pressure loss of the uneven surface. These factors can lead to measurement errors in the diameter of the object.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a rod-shaped object measuring device and measuring method that can measure the circumferential length of a rod-shaped object easily, with high accuracy, and in real time. ,B Apparatus and method for manufacturing rod-shaped articles , and rod-shaped article measuring method and control unit capable of measuring the circumferential length of a rod-shaped article The purpose is to provide the following. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the measuring device for rod-shaped objects of the present invention is a measuring device that measures the outer circumferential length of a rod-shaped object in a conveying section for the rod-shaped object, and is equipped with a camera that captures an image of the end face of the rod-shaped object, and an image processing unit that calculates the outer circumferential length by processing the image captured by the camera.The image processing unit identifies the outer circumferential edge of the end face in the captured image, creates a virtual circle based on the outer circumferential edge, creates n straight lines passing through the center point of the virtual circle, identifies two intersections where each straight line intersects with the outer circumferential edge, measures the inter-intersection distance between the two intersections on each straight line, calculates a virtual diameter of the outer circumferential edge by dividing the sum of the inter-intersection distances by n, and calculates the outer circumferential length by multiplying the virtual diameter by π.

[0009] The measurement method for rod-shaped objects of the present invention is a measurement method for measuring the outer circumferential length of a rod-shaped object in a conveying section for the rod-shaped object, and includes an imaging step of imaging the end face of the rod-shaped object, and an image processing step of calculating the outer circumferential length by processing the image captured in the imaging step. The image processing step includes an edge identification process of identifying the outer circumferential edge of the end face in the image, an intersection identification process of creating a virtual circle based on the outer circumferential edge, creating n straight lines passing through the center point of the virtual circle, and identifying two intersections where each line intersects with the outer circumferential edge, a first calculation process of measuring the inter-intersection distance between the two intersections of each straight line, and dividing the sum of the inter-intersection distances by n to calculate a virtual diameter of the outer circumferential edge, and a second calculation process of multiplying the virtual diameter by π to calculate the outer circumferential length.

[0010] The rod-shaped article manufacturing apparatus of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned measuring device and a rear section to which rod-shaped articles that have passed through the above-mentioned conveying section are transported, and the rear section comprises an exclusion section that is electrically connected to the measuring device and excludes rod-shaped articles that receive an abnormal output.

[0011] The method for manufacturing rod-shaped articles of the present invention performs the above-mentioned measurement method and further includes a removal step of removing rod-shaped articles that receive an abnormal output in a subsequent section to which rod-shaped articles that have passed through the above-mentioned conveying section are transported. In another aspect of the present invention, a control unit that calculates the outer circumferential length of a rod-shaped object by processing an image of the end face of the rod-shaped object has an image processing unit that identifies the outer circumferential edge of the end face in the image, creates a virtual circle based on the outer circumferential edge, creates n straight lines passing through the center point of the virtual circle, identifies two intersections where each of the straight lines intersects with the outer circumferential edge, measures the inter-intersection distance between the two intersections on each of the straight lines, calculates a virtual diameter of the outer circumferential edge by dividing the sum of the inter-intersection distances by n, and multiplies the virtual diameter by π to calculate the outer circumferential length. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for measuring a rod-shaped object includes an image processing step of calculating the outer circumferential length of the rod-shaped object by processing an image of the end face of the rod-shaped object, the image processing step including an edge identification process of identifying the outer circumferential edge of the end face in the image, an intersection identification process of creating a virtual circle based on the outer circumferential edge, creating n straight lines passing through the center point of the virtual circle, and identifying two intersections where each of the straight lines intersects with the outer circumferential edge, a first calculation process of measuring the inter-intersection distance between the two intersections on each of the straight lines and dividing the sum of the inter-intersection distances by n to calculate a virtual diameter of the outer circumferential edge, and a second calculation process of multiplying the virtual diameter by π to calculate the outer circumferential length. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The above-described apparatus and method for measuring a rod-shaped article, and apparatus and method for manufacturing a rod-shaped article, can measure the circumferential length of a rod-shaped article easily, highly accurately, and in real time. Furthermore, the above-described method for measuring a rod-shaped article and the control unit according to another aspect can easily measure the circumferential length of a rod-shaped article. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus and a measuring apparatus for a rod-shaped article. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a transport drum. [Figure 3] This is an actual image captured by a camera. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the measurement process of a rod-shaped article. [Figure 5] 10 is a flow chart showing a measurement flow of a rod-shaped article using a measuring device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a manufacturing apparatus and a measuring apparatus for rod-shaped articles. The manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with a conveying section 4 for rod-shaped articles (hereinafter simply referred to as articles) 2. A measuring device 6 for the articles 2 is arranged in the conveying section 4, and the measuring device 6 measures the circumferential length L of the articles 2 in the conveying section 4. The conveying section 4 is made up of a row of drums, and the articles 2 are transferred between multiple conveying drums. FIG. 1 shows one of the conveying drums, conveying drum 8.

[0015] The article 2 is, for example, a cigarette having a tobacco portion 2a and a filter portion 2b. The manufacturing apparatus 1 is also provided with a winding section 10 prior to the conveying section 4. In the winding section 10, the tobacco portion 2a and the filter portion 2b, which are components of the article 2 manufactured separately, are wrapped in cigarette paper to form the article 2. The manufactured article 2 is transported along the circumferential direction of the conveying drum 8, and then supplied to the rear section 12, where it is packed in boxes or otherwise processed before being shipped. The rear section 12 includes a section for cutting the article 2 to a predetermined length and then attaching a filter portion or the like to the cut article 2 using a filter attachment mechanism (not shown) to form the cut article 2 into a cigarette or the like.

[0016] 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the conveying drum 8. The conveying drum 8 has a cylindrical core 16 with a suction source 14 disposed therein, and a drum shell 18 that covers the cylindrical core 16. The drum shell 18 is disposed so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis Ra relative to the cylindrical core 16. A large number of holding grooves 18b that hold the articles 2 are formed in the outer peripheral surface 18a of the drum shell 18 in the circumferential direction Z. Suction pressure from the suction source 14 is applied to each holding groove 18b.

[0017] The drum shell 18 conveys the article 2 along the circumferential direction Z while holding the article 2 in the holding groove 18b on the outer circumferential surface 18a of the drum shell 18 in an orientation in which the axial direction of the article 2 is parallel to the rotation axis Ra due to the suction pressure of the suction source 14. At this time, the article 2 is held in the holding groove 18b of the drum shell 18 with the end surface 2c of the tobacco portion 2a protruding outward from the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra. In other words, the length of the article 2 in the axial direction is greater than the length of the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra.

[0018] 1, the measuring device 6 includes a camera 20, a control unit 22, and a sensor 24. The camera 20 and the sensor 24 are electrically connected to the control unit 22. The camera 20 is disposed outside the rotation axis Ra of the conveying drum 8, and captures an image of the end surface 2c of the tobacco portion 2a of the article 2. The sensor 24 detects the entry of the article 2 into the conveying section 4, and outputs an imaging start signal to the control unit 22.

[0019] Upon receiving an imaging start signal, the camera 20 images the end face 2c of the article 2 to be measured, which has been carried into the conveying section 4, at the timing when the article 2 is conveyed to the imaging position P. The control unit 22 is provided with an image processing unit 26 and a determination unit 28. The image processing unit 26 calculates the perimeter L of the article 2 by processing the image captured by the camera 20. The determination unit 28 determines whether the perimeter L calculated by the image processing unit 26 is within a predetermined threshold range. Although not shown, the measuring device 6 may be provided with lighting that illuminates the end face 2c in the same illumination direction as the imaging direction of the camera 20, or with a display screen that displays the image captured by the camera 20.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows an actual image captured by the camera 20. The image processing unit 26 processes the captured image to identify the outer circumferential edge 30 of the end surface 2c of the tobacco portion 2a of the article 2, in other words, the cross section of the cigarette paper. The rear section 12, to which the article 2 is transported from the winding section 10 through the conveying section 4, is electrically connected to the measuring device 6 and includes a rejection unit 32. The rejection unit 32 rejects the article 2 that has received an output indicating an abnormality. The winding section 10 is electrically connected to the measuring device 6 and includes a winding control unit 34. When the winding control unit 34 receives an output indicating an abnormality in the article 2, it controls the winding mode of the article 2 so that the outer circumferential length L calculated by the image processing unit 26 falls within the aforementioned threshold range.

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a conceptual diagram for explaining the measurement process of the article 2, and Fig. 5 shows the measurement flow of the article 2 by the measuring device 6. When measurement of the article 2 begins, the sensor 24 detects the entry of the article 2 into the conveying section 4 and outputs an imaging start signal to the control unit 22 (article detection step S1). Next, upon receiving the imaging start signal from the sensor 24, the camera 20 images the end surface 2c of the article 2 to be measured that has been entered into the conveying drum 8 at the timing when it is conveyed to the imaging position P, and transmits the data of the captured image to the image processing unit 26 (imaging step S2).

[0022] Next, the image processing unit 26 calculates the perimeter L of the end face 2c by processing the captured image transmitted from the camera 20 (image processing step S3). Specifically, the image processing unit 26 first identifies the outer perimeter 30 of the end face 2c in the captured image (edge identification process P1). Next, the image processing unit creates a virtual circle 36 based on the outer perimeter 30, creates n straight lines 38 passing through the center point Pc of the virtual circle 36, and identifies two intersections 40 where each straight line 38 intersects with the outer perimeter 30 (intersection identification process P2).

[0023] Next, the inter-intersection distances d1, d2, d3, . . . d between two intersection points 40 of each line 38 are calculated. n Measure the distances between the intersections d1, d2, d3, d n Divide the sum of these by n to obtain the distances between the intersections d1, d2, d3, d n The average value of these is calculated as the virtual diameter d of the outer peripheral edge 30 (first calculation process P3). Then, as shown in the following formula, the virtual diameter d, that is, (d1+d2+d3+...+d n The value of (2) / n is multiplied by π to calculate the perimeter L (second calculation process P4). Perimeter length L={(d1+d2+d3+...+d n ) / n}×π

[0024] Next, the determination unit 28 determines whether the perimeter L calculated in the image processing step S3 is within a predetermined threshold range (greater than or equal to a lower limit L1 and less than or equal to a predetermined upper limit L2) (determination step S4). If the determination result in determination step S4 is true (Yes), and L1≦L≦L2 is established, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the measuring device 6 outputs that the perimeter L of the item 2 is normal, and ends the measurement of the item 2 to be measured.

[0025] On the other hand, if the determination result of determination step S4 is false (No), and L1≦L≦L2 is not established, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the measuring device 6 outputs, for example, an alarm, that the circumferential length L of the article 2 is abnormal. Next, the rear section 12, in the exclusion unit 32, excludes the article 2 that includes the component (tobacco portion 2a and / or filter portion 2b) of the article 2 that received the abnormal output (exclusion step S7).

[0026] Furthermore, when the hoisting section 10 receives an output indicating an abnormality in the article 2, the hoisting control unit 34 controls the hoisting mode of the article 2 so that the outer circumferential length L calculated in the image processing step S3 falls within the aforementioned threshold range (hoisting control step S8). Specifically, in the hoisting control step S8, the hoisting control unit 34 adjusts the degree of diameter reduction when the constituent parts of the article 2 are wound up with wrapping paper by changing the width dimension of the groove for forming the article 2 or the inner diameter of the cylinder, or adjusts the width of the lap portion of the wrapping paper that is glued together, thereby controlling the outer circumferential length L to fall within the threshold range. In this way, each time the sensor 24 detects the article 2, the outer circumferential length L of the article 2 being transported is measured sequentially according to the measurement flow.

[0027] As described above, the measuring device 6 of the embodiment measures the circumferential length L of the article 2 in real time during the conveyance process in the conveying section 4. Specifically, the aforementioned virtual diameter d is calculated, and the virtual diameter d is multiplied by π to calculate the circumferential length L. By creating as many n straight lines 38 as possible in this process, it is possible to calculate a virtual diameter d that is close to the diameter of the actual outer peripheral edge 30, and the circumferential length L can be calculated with high accuracy from this virtual diameter d. Therefore, the circumferential length L of the article 2 can be measured easily, highly accurately, and in real time.

[0028] More specifically, the camera 20 receives an imaging start signal output from the sensor 24 in the item detection step S1, and images the end face 2c of the item 2 to be measured that has been carried into the conveying section 4 at the timing when the item 2 is carried to the imaging position P. This allows all of the items 2 that are sequentially carried into the conveying section 4 to be measured without fail.

[0029] Furthermore, the article 2 is held on the outer peripheral surface 18a of the drum shell 18 with the end face 2c protruding outward from the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra. This prevents blind spots from occurring at the end face 2c of the article 2 being transported in the transport drum 8 arranged in the transport section 4, allowing the article 2 to be measured reliably.

[0030] Furthermore, in the determination step S4, the determination unit 28 determines that the article 2 is abnormal if the circumferential length L of the end face 2c is outside the range of a predetermined threshold. This prevents in advance cases where the article 2 is tilted during measurement or the timing of image capture is off, preventing proper measurement. Therefore, the measurement accuracy and efficiency of the article 2 can be further improved.

[0031] Furthermore, the rejection unit 32 of the rear section 12 rejects the item 2 that has received the abnormal output in rejection step S7. This makes it possible to prevent the shipment of items 2 that do not meet the quality standards. Furthermore, when the hoisting control unit 34 of the hoisting section 10 receives the abnormal output, it controls the hoisting mode of the item 2 in hoisting control step S8 so that the outer perimeter L calculated by the image processing unit 26 falls within the threshold range. This makes it possible to manufacture items 2 that meet the quality standards for outer perimeter L.

[0032] This concludes the description of the embodiment, but the above embodiment is not limiting and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiment, as shown in the measurement flow of Figure 5, measurement of the article 2 can be performed by making each determination step by step. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the removal step S7 and the hoisting control step S8 do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown in the embodiment.

[0033] Furthermore, since each step has the aforementioned action and effect, it is not necessary to perform all steps. Furthermore, the measuring device 6 and measuring method described above are not limited to the article 2 having the configuration of the embodiment, and can measure rod-shaped articles 2 of various configurations. For example, it is also possible to measure the circumferential length L of a heated segment used in a non-combustion-heated smoking article. Furthermore, the circumferential length L of the article 2 may be measured by imaging the end face of the filter portion 2b, rather than the tobacco portion 2a, of the article 2.

[0034] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the article 2 is held in the holding groove 18b of the drum shell 18 with the end face 2c of the tobacco portion 2a protruding outside the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra. This makes the length of the article 2 in the axial direction greater than the length of the drum shell 18 in the direction of the rotation axis Ra, making it easier to image the end face of the article 2. However, as long as the end face of the article 2 can be imaged without any hindrance, the article 2 may also be held in a manner that does not cause the article 2 to protrude outside the drum shell 18.

[0035] Furthermore, the image of the article 2 captured by the camera 20 and the data on the perimeter length L obtained based on this image may not only be used for the measuring device 6 and the measuring method described above, but may also be stored and accumulated on a separate server for use in various analyses. The measuring device 6 described above measures the article 2 using the measuring method described above on the conveying drum 8 arranged in the conveying section 4. However, this is not limited to this, and if a belt conveyor or the like that conveys the article 2 in a linear manner is arranged in the conveying section 4, the measuring device 6 may also measure the article 2 being conveyed on the belt conveyor.

[0036] Furthermore, in addition to transporting the article 2, the conveying section 4 may also align and connect multiple segments, such as the tobacco section 2a and filter section 2b, that make up the article 2. Furthermore, the conveying section 4 may also add external additives such as flavorings, or physically process each segment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 Manufacturing equipment 2. Rod-shaped items 2a Tobacco section (component) 2b Filter section (component) 2c end face 4. Conveying Section 6. Measuring equipment 8 Transport drum 10. Upper section 12 Rear section 14 Suction source 16 Cylindrical core 18 Drum Shell 18a Outer surface 20 Camera 24 sensors 26 Image processing section 28 Judgment section 30 outer edge 32 Exclusion part 34 Hoisting control section 36 Virtual Circle 38 straight line 40 intersection d Virtual diameter d1~dn Intersection distance L outer circumference length P Imaging position PC center point Ra rotation axis S1 Item detection step S2 Imaging step S3 Image Processing Step S4 Judgment step S7 Exclusion Step S8 Hoisting control step P1 Edge Identification Process P2 Intersection Identification Process P3 First calculation process P4 Second calculation process

Claims

1. A measuring device for measuring the circumferential length of a rod-shaped article in a conveying section of the rod-shaped article, comprising: a camera that captures an image of an end surface of the rod-shaped article; an image processing unit that calculates the perimeter by processing an image captured by the camera; Equipped with the image processing unit identifies an outer peripheral edge of the end face in the captured image, creates a virtual circle based on the outer peripheral edge, creates n straight lines passing through a center point of the virtual circle, identifies two intersections where each of the straight lines intersects with the outer peripheral edge, measures the distance between the two intersections on each of the straight lines, calculates a virtual diameter of the outer peripheral edge by dividing the sum of the distances between the two intersections by n, and calculates the outer peripheral length by multiplying the virtual diameter by π. Measuring device for rod-shaped articles.

2. a sensor that detects the rod-shaped article being carried into the conveying section and outputs an imaging start signal; the camera receives the imaging start signal and images the end surface at a timing when the rod-shaped article to be measured that has been carried into the conveying section is conveyed to an imaging position; The measuring device for a rod-shaped article according to claim 1 .

3. the conveying section includes a conveying drum for conveying the rod-shaped article; The conveying drum is a cylindrical core having a suction source disposed therein; a drum shell that covers the cylindrical core, is arranged rotatably about a rotation axis relative to the cylindrical core, and holds the rod-shaped articles on their outer peripheral surface in an orientation in which the axial direction of the rod-shaped articles is parallel to the rotation axis by the suction pressure of the suction source; and The rod-shaped object is held on the outer peripheral surface of the drum shell with the end surface protruding outward from the drum shell in the direction of the rotation axis. The measuring device for a rod-shaped article according to claim 2 .

4. a determination unit that determines whether the outer perimeter calculated by the image processing unit is within a range of a predetermined threshold value, the determination unit outputs a signal indicating that the rod-shaped object is abnormal when the outer circumferential length is outside the range of the threshold value. The measuring device for a rod-shaped article according to claim 3.

5. A manufacturing apparatus for a rod-shaped article, comprising the measuring device according to claim 4, a rear section through which the rod-shaped articles that have passed through the conveying section are conveyed; the rear section includes a removal unit electrically connected to the measuring device and configured to remove the rod-shaped article that receives the abnormality output. Rod-shaped article manufacturing equipment.

6. a winding section that winds up the rod-shaped article components with wrapping paper to form the rod-shaped article; the hoisting section is electrically connected to the measuring device and includes a hoisting control unit that, when receiving the abnormality output, controls the hoisting mode of the rod-shaped article so that the outer circumferential length calculated by the image processing unit falls within the threshold range. The apparatus for manufacturing a rod-shaped article according to claim 5 .

7. A method for measuring the circumferential length of a rod-shaped article in a conveying section of the rod-shaped article, comprising: an imaging step of imaging an end surface of the rod-shaped article; an image processing step of calculating the perimeter by processing the captured image captured in the imaging step; Including, The image processing step includes: an edge identification process for identifying the outer periphery of the end face in the captured image; an intersection point identification process for creating a virtual circle based on the outer periphery, creating n straight lines passing through a center point of the virtual circle, and identifying two intersection points where each of the straight lines intersects with the outer periphery; a first calculation process for measuring distances between two of the intersection points on each of the straight lines and calculating a virtual diameter of the outer periphery by dividing the sum of the distances between the intersection points by n; a second calculation process of multiplying the virtual diameter by π to calculate the outer periphery length; Including, Measurement method for rod-shaped articles.

8. an article detection step of detecting the rod-shaped article being carried into the conveying section and outputting an imaging start signal; In the imaging step, upon receiving the imaging start signal, an image of the end surface is captured at a timing when the rod-shaped article to be measured that has been carried into the conveying section is conveyed to an imaging position. The method for measuring a rod-shaped article according to claim 7.

9. a determination step of determining whether the perimeter calculated in the image processing step is within a range of a predetermined threshold value, In the determination step, when the outer circumferential length is outside the range of the threshold value, the rod-shaped object is output as abnormal. The method for measuring a rod-shaped article according to claim 8.

10. A method for manufacturing a rod-shaped article by carrying out the measurement method according to claim 9, a removal step of removing the rod-shaped article that has received the abnormality output in a rear section to which the rod-shaped article that has passed through the conveying section is conveyed, A method for manufacturing a rod-shaped article.

11. a hoisting control step of controlling the hoisting mode of the rod-shaped article so that the outer circumferential length calculated in the image processing step falls within the threshold range when the abnormality output is received in a hoisting section that hoists the constituent parts of the rod-shaped article into a rod shape and forms the rod-shaped article; The method for producing a rod-shaped article according to claim 10.

12. A control unit for calculating a circumferential length of a rod-shaped object by processing an image of an end face of the rod-shaped object, the control unit comprising: an image processing unit that identifies an outer periphery of the end face in the captured image, creates a virtual circle based on the outer periphery, creates n straight lines passing through a center point of the virtual circle, identifies two intersections where each of the straight lines intersects with the outer periphery, measures the distance between the two intersections on each of the straight lines, calculates a virtual diameter of the outer periphery by dividing the sum of the distances between the two intersections by n, and calculates the outer periphery length by multiplying the virtual diameter by π; Control unit.

13. An image processing step of calculating the circumferential length of the rod-shaped article by processing an image of an end face of the rod-shaped article, The image processing step includes: an edge identification process for identifying the outer periphery of the end face in the captured image; an intersection point identification process for creating a virtual circle based on the outer periphery, creating n straight lines passing through a center point of the virtual circle, and identifying two intersection points where each of the straight lines intersects with the outer periphery; a first calculation process for measuring distances between two of the intersection points on each of the straight lines and calculating a virtual diameter of the outer periphery by dividing the sum of the distances between the intersection points by n; a second calculation process of multiplying the virtual diameter by π to calculate the outer periphery length; Including, Measurement method for rod-shaped articles.

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